Patent Project

Objectives

The semester project is designed to allow the student to demonstrate the ability create accurate solid models within a 3D CAD modeling system, as well as to demonstrate the ability to work with other in teams. Furthermore, this project is designed to give students experience in documenting technical data through both graphical, written, and oral communication.

Assignment

Each team will be responsible for creating detailed models and renderings of an invention that has a US utility patent. The invention should have enough complexity to demonstrate your ability, but should be simple enough to complete within the time limit of the semester.

The dimensions of the model must be reverse engineered by scaling the patent drawings. Details must (thread size, precise hole sizes, clearances, etc.) must be worked out as if the component parts were to be manufactured.

NOTE: it will be helpful to find a patent with good orthographic projections in the primary views.

Use the best modeling practices discussed throughout the semester. For example, each component will have its own file.

Deliverables

Each team will submit a Poster file and give a short oral presentation (including a Powerpoint or similar presentation).

DO NOT use “crooked” pictorial views (Vertical lines should be vertical)

DO NOT put this project off until the last week of class.

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As a way to begin thinking about how to talk about your project, you may consider answering some of the following questions:
What is the software you are using?
What are the hardware/system requirements for this software?
How does the PC you used compare with those requirements?
What kind of approach did you take with regard to:

Issues regarding teamwork/coordination/planning?
Did you use part families? would this have made anything easier?
Did you use expressions?
Did you use Roles?
What kind of materials did you use?
What kind of rendering method/s did you use? Can you say something about this method, how does it work?

Advantages and disadvantages of any of the above.
What were some of the difficulties?
What are you particularly proud of?
What features of the software were helpful?
Can you compare competing systems, or systems with which you have experience?